Why & How We Must Teach First Aid in Schools

ProTrainings Why We Should Teach First Aid in Schools

Table of Contents

  1. The Importance of First Aid Training for Kids
  2. Key Components of First Aid Training for Kids
    1. Age-Appropriate Content
    2. Essential Skills to Teach
  3. How to Teach First Aid in Schools in a Fun Way
    1. “The Seven Steps of CPR” Infographic
    2. Role Playing Scenarios
    3. Games & Quizzes
    4. Hands-On Activities
    5. Arts & Crafts
    6. Songs & Rhymes
    7. Friendly Competitions
    8. Incorporate Technology
    9. Partner with Community Helpers
  4. Where Can I Get More Great First Aid Training?
  5. First Aid Training for Kids FAQs

Whether it was skinning a knee on the sidewalk or spraining an ankle playing basketball, most of us experienced injuries as children. Depending on how rambunctious you were, you may have experienced quite a few of them. Kids are notoriously accident-prone, and little incidents are a part of life.

However, many childhood accidents aren’t so little. If a child breaks a bone, is bleeding, or has a serious head injury, the prognosis improves if their friends know what to do. Accidents can happen anytime, and children may be put in situations where they need to respond. 

That’s why teaching first aid in schools is so essential. Having a teacher review important first aid concepts and techniques with children can save lives.

Read on to learn more about the value of teaching first aid in schools.

The Importance of First Aid Training for Kids

While not all children can be taught advanced first aid techniques and concepts, studies have shown that children as young as five can be taught basic skills like how to call 911, how to stop bleeding, and how to do the Heimlich maneuver, all of which can save lives.

These foundational skills can make a significant difference in emergency scenarios, where quick action often determines whether a situation escalates or stabilizes. 

Common emergencies like choking and playground accidents can be prevented while reducing the chance of fatalities. 

Teaching first aid is valuable for all school-aged children. However, it is most necessary in high school. There are more injury-related deaths every year in the 15-19 age bracket than in any other demographic.

In high school, teens start driving and often do risky things. They also spend more time with their peers than they do with adults. Because of this, they must know basic lifesaving first aid to respond if one of their friends gets hurt.

Teens are completely capable of performing CPR after a car accident or administering first aid for a sports injury, and those skills can prevent further injury and even death.

One reason it’s so vital to teach first aid in schools is that kids and teens are unlikely to learn this kind of stuff at home. 

Parents may not know basic first aid — only 11% of adults in the US know how to perform CPR correctly — or it simply may not occur to them to teach their kids what they know.

Incorporating first aid into school curricula will teach children skills they may not learn any other way. It’ll also save lives and contribute to creating a more emergency-ready public and safety-conscious generation. Understanding how to respond in a crisis leads to empowerment, which encourages responsibility and leadership both in and out of school. 

Key Components of First Aid Training for Kids

First aid training for children should be specific to their age and developmental stage so the content is both accessible and practical. The goal is to provide age-appropriate knowledge and skills that build confidence and preparedness over time.

Age-Appropriate Content

Younger children benefit most from simple, relatable explanations and engaging activities that teach basic concepts. For example, teaching them how to recognize an emergency and dial 911 can be done using role-play and storytelling. 

As students grow older, the curriculum can gradually introduce more advanced techniques like basic CPR and recognizing symptoms of serious health issues. This progression allows children to build their knowledge and skills step by step, avoiding overwhelm while strengthening their competence.

Essential Skills to Teach

First aid training for kids should focus on essential skills that can be applied in everyday emergencies. 

We recommend starting with the following foundational skills:

  • How to call emergency services: Teaching children how to dial 911 and provide key information, like their location and a description of the emergency, ensures that help can arrive quickly.
  • How to treat cuts, scrapes, and minor burns: Demonstrating how to clean wounds, apply bandages, and soothe burns allows children to manage common injuries effectively.
  • How to handle choking and perform basic CPR techniques: Knowing how to respond to a choking incident or perform chest compressions can save lives, particularly in scenarios where adults aren’t immediately available.
  • How to recognize signs of serious health issues: Educating kids on how to identify symptoms of allergies, fainting, or other medical emergencies equips them to act quickly and seek help when it’s needed most.

Focusing on these components integrates first aid training into a child’s education, equipping them with practical skills and knowledge to respond effectively in emergencies.

How to Teach First Aid in Schools in a Fun Way

While first aid training is useful at any age, different age groups learn differently. For instance, CPR is an advanced, physically demanding technique. Research suggests that most children under 10 lack the strength to do effective chest compressions. However, they can still benefit from learning how and when CPR should be performed.

On the other hand, kids can learn the Heimlich maneuver as young as five. In fact, this technique is most useful for younger children to know since they’re at the greatest risk of choking. Because choking can kill in minutes, a child might not have time to run and get an adult to help.

Role-Playing Scenarios

Role-playing scenarios provide children with a safe environment to practice first aid skills, helping them understand how to apply their knowledge in real-life situations. 

Scenarios like “treating a scraped knee on the playground” or “helping a friend who fell off their bike” introduce practical applications of first aid in ways kids can easily relate to. When they take turns as the injured person and the helper, children learn essential techniques and develop empathy and perspective.

Other role-playing benefits include:

  • Simulated hands-on experience: Props such as toy bandages, gauze, gloves, and even pretend syringes create a realistic, hands-on experience. Using these tools allows children to practice properly dressing wounds and simulate real emergencies without any risk.
  • Improv creativity: This approach gets kids to think on their feet by giving them a set amount of time to devise creative solutions to challenges. For instance, they could figure out how to stop bleeding when no bandages are available or how to call for help in a chaotic situation.
  • Building emotional resilience: Kids become more familiar with high-pressure scenarios when they act out these scenarios. They become more emotionally resilient, which will help them stay calm if they face similar situations in real life.

Role-playing scenarios make first aid training engaging and practical, giving kids the confidence to act decisively and appropriately in emergencies. 

Games & Quizzes

Games and quizzes transform first aid training into a fun, interactive experience, helping children retain important information. 

Engaging kids through playful activities like bingo or trivia ensures that learning doesn’t feel like a chore but rather an enjoyable challenge.

Here are some ideas for games and quizzes:

  • First aid bingo: Create bingo cards featuring first aid items or actions, such as bandages, CPR, or calling 911. The facilitator can call out scenarios like “You need to clean a scrape” or “Someone is choking,” and kids match the answer on their cards.
  • Trivia games: Develop a trivia game with questions ranging from simple — “What number do you call in an emergency?” — to more advanced — “What should you do if someone faints?” 
  • Memory match games: Create a game where kids match first aid items to their uses, such as matching an EpiPen to treat allergies or gauze to cover wounds.

Games and quizzes drive home first aid concepts and make the learning process dynamic and memorable. They help children connect theoretical knowledge to real-world applications in a way that’s both entertaining and impactful.

Hands-On Activities

Hands-on activities provide children with the opportunity to put their knowledge of first aid techniques into practice.

Our favorite hands-on activities are:

  • CPR practice: Using child-friendly CPR manikins, kids can learn the basics of chest compressions. Pairing the compressions with a familiar song like “Stayin’ Alive” or “Baby Shark” teaches them to maintain the correct rhythm while keeping the activity engaging.
  • Bandaging races: In this activity, kids race to correctly wrap a simulated wound on a partner or a stuffed animal. This teaches proper bandaging techniques and adds teamwork and a sense of urgency in a fun way.
  • Build-your-own first aid kit: Let children create their own mini first aid kits by assembling items like bandages, alcohol wipes, and gauze. As they build their kits, explain the purpose of each item to solidify their understanding of its use.

Hands-on activities allow children to bridge the gap between theory and practice. By physically performing first aid tasks, they gain confidence in their ability to act during an emergency.

Arts & Crafts

Through interactive creative arts and crafts, kids can explore important safety themes in a way that feels fun and approachable.

Ways to get creative include:

  • Coloring pages: Provide first aid-themed coloring pages featuring scenarios like calling 911, treating a wound, or performing CPR. This introduces basic concepts in a format even the youngest children can understand.
  • Poster design: Prompt kids to design posters about emergency response steps, such as what to do if someone is choking or how to recognize the signs of an allergic reaction. Displaying their work in classrooms keeps it visible when they’re looking around and reinforces the lessons.
  • DIY bandages: Use craft materials like paper, fabric, or felt to create play bandages. Kids can practice applying these bandages to themselves, a friend, or a stuffed animal.

Arts and crafts help kids absorb information while expressing themselves. These projects make first aid skills memorable and accessible for young learners.

Songs & Rhymes

Songs and rhymes offer a unique way to teach first aid concepts by presenting them in a format that’s easy to remember. Music and rhythm make complex ideas feel approachable, especially for younger children.

Below are a few examples:

  • First aid jingles: Simple jingles can help children memorize essential steps in first aid. These playful tunes break down actions into memorable sequences, making the learning process engaging and fun.
  • CPR songs: Songs like “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” or “Old MacDonald Had a Farm” that have a steady beat are ideal for teaching children the rhythm needed for chest compressions. Associating a recognizable rhythm with the correct technique helps kids recall and apply it effectively.
  • Emergency rhymes: Rhymes provide a structured way to teach children what to do in crisis situations, such as dialing emergency numbers or calming a situation. These rhymes simplify complex actions into memorable phrases, helping children act confidently when needed.

First aid training can be both educational and entertaining with songs and rhymes — don’t be afraid to get creative. 

Friendly Competitions

Friendly competitions get kids to engage in first aid training while building teamwork and critical thinking. These challenges add an element of excitement, motivating children to learn and practice their skills.

To encourage friendly competition, incorporate the following:

  • Team-based challenges: Divide children into teams and set up timed tasks, like bandaging a wound or identifying items in a first aid kit. This encourages collaboration and quick problem-solving.
  • Mock emergencies: Create scenarios where kids compete to “rescue” and treat a doll in a simulated emergency. Reward creativity and accuracy to reinforce proper techniques.
  • Recognition and rewards: Offer certificates, medals, or small prizes for participation to build a sense of accomplishment and continue the learning momentum.

Friendly competitions teach children to think on their feet, solve problems, and apply the appropriate knowledge and skills.

Incorporate Technology

Incorporating technology into first aid training makes learning more interactive and accessible, especially for tech-savvy kids. Digital tools complement traditional teaching methods, offering a modern approach to skill-building.

Try these out:

  • Apps and online courses: Use kid-friendly first aid apps that include quizzes, interactive lessons, and videos to engage children in self-paced learning.
  • Digital guides: Provide digital guides and activities that kids can review and complete with their families at home.
  • Virtual simulations: Introduce augmented reality tools or virtual first aid simulations that allow children to practice in realistic, immersive scenarios.

Integrating technology caters to a variety of learning styles and keeps kids interested in developing their skills.

Partner with Community Helpers

Partnering with local community helpers adds an exciting real-world element to first aid training, giving children firsthand insights from professionals.

  • Guest speakers: Invite paramedics, firefighters, or Red Cross volunteers to teach sessions with hands-on demonstrations. Children are often inspired by these role models, making the lessons more impactful.
  • Field trips: Organize visits to fire stations or first aid training centers, where kids can see how emergencies are managed in real time. 
  • Community events: Partner with local organizations to host safety days or first aid workshops, involving families for broader participation.

Collaborating with community helpers enriches the training experience and connects children to the larger community of safety professionals. These partnerships underscore the value of first aid knowledge in everyday life.

Where Can I Get More Great First Aid Training?

Unfortunately, most of us didn’t get the chance to learn first aid in school, even though it’s such an important life skill. Imagine how much easier it’d be to handle emergencies if we’d been taught the basics as kids. That’s why teaching first aid in schools is so important — it gives children the tools they need to step up in any emergency.

We believe everyone should have access to lifesaving skills, no matter their age. 

That’s why we make our educational materials free and easy to access. Whether you’re learning for the first time or brushing up, we’ve got you covered. Follow us on LinkedIn for simple, practical first aid tips and resources you can use to stay prepared.

First Aid Training for Kids FAQs

Many parents and educators have questions about how to introduce these concepts, what skills to focus on, and how first aid training can fit into educational or home settings. Here are answers to some of the most common questions.

  1. What are the key first aid skills that children should learn?


Children should start with foundational skills such as calling emergency services, treating minor injuries like cuts and scrapes, managing choking incidents, and learning basic CPR chest compressions. 

As they get older, they can be introduced to recognizing symptoms of health emergencies, such as allergic reactions or dehydration. These core skills provide a strong base for responding to common situations.

  1. Can kids really perform first aid in an emergency?

    Yes, with proper training, kids can effectively assist in emergencies. While their abilities may vary based on their age and physical capability, even young children can help, such as by alerting emergency responders or providing initial care like applying pressure to a bleeding wound.
  2. Is first aid training something that should be taught in schools every year?

Annual first aid training is highly beneficial. Regular refreshers help children retain their knowledge and adapt to new challenges as they grow older. Just as schools teach math and reading every year, revisiting first aid helps students build upon their skills so they’re always prepared to respond to emergencies.

  1. Can first aid training be offered virtually?


Yes, virtual first aid training is a practical option. Many programs include interactive videos, quizzes, and online simulations to teach essential skills. Virtual training can supplement in-person sessions, allowing children to practice at home or review lessons at their own pace.

  1. What are some simple first aid techniques kids can practice at home?


Kids can practice cleaning and bandaging a wound, performing the Heimlich maneuver on a stuffed toy, or practicing CPR compressions on a pillow or manikin. These exercises, done under adult supervision, reinforce key techniques in a safe, controlled environment. 

Parents can also role-play scenarios to help children think through emergencies and problem-solve.

  1. How can parents and teachers make first aid training engaging for kids?

Interactive methods like role-playing, games, and hands-on activities make first aid training more engaging. 

For example, kids can play trivia games, participate in bandaging races, or build their own first aid kits. Incorporating technology, such as apps and videos, and using creative tools like songs or crafts, keeps kids interested and reinforces learning.

  1. Is first aid training beneficial for children outside of emergencies?

    Yes, first aid training teaches children to think critically, stay calm under pressure, and take initiative — all of which are skills that are useful in everyday life. It also makes them more aware of their surroundings and proactive in helping others.

    These attributes contribute to personal growth and can positively impact their relationships at home, school, and in their community.

The goal isn’t just to prepare kids for emergencies but to equip them with practical life skills that they can carry into adulthood.